What is Sensory Processing Disorder?Sensory Processing Disorder is a condition that exists when sensory signals do not get organized into appropriate responses. Occupational therapist and neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, PhD, likened SPD to a neurological "traffic jam" that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. A student with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks.They may experience motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, and school failure. Source: SPD Foundation

YogaView the whole article from yogachicago.comThe following is an excerpt from Mira Binzen's article, "Sensory Integration and how yoga helps".

How Yoga HelpsRelaxation response . The sensory system is soothed, and the relaxation response (parasympathetic dominance) is engaged in forward folds; deep, even breathing; progressive relaxation (tensing then releasing each muscle group); and deep relaxation. Most children in my classes also love to put sandbags on their bodies for final rest. This is especially helpful for a child with sensory processing challenges. An eight-year-old boy in my class, whose mom signed him up to address "sensory issues," let out a series of five or six "Ahhhs" when I placed a sand bag on his chest. (Make sure the sandbags are not too heavy; check in with the child and look for easy, relaxed breathing. Leave them on for five minutes or less.) He had been irritable and very talkative during class. After relaxation, his face was soft, he smiled gently, and when I asked him how he was feeling, instead of launching into a dramatic high-energy story, as is his tendency, he just nodded his head as his smile widened. Backsen describes this as DTP, deep touch pressure. "This is the most calming form of input." It also increases body awareness, as there is increased sensory input across large surface areas of the body. Children with SPD often have weighted blankets to help them sleep at night. Body/spatial awareness . Better body awareness is one of the greatest benefits of the yoga practice. Children get excellent proprioceptive and vestibular input through partner poses, walking around like bears and dogs (hands and feet on the floor), and in twisting poses that compress the muscles. The repetitive and soothing motions of vinyasa flow can be helpful for a child who feels too much sensory input but difficult for a child who has trouble processing proprioceptive or vestibular input. Standing and balancing poses help develop stability, strength, and coordination. Poses such as tree, eagle, and dancer provide much needed joint compression. Moving from backbends to forward bends to twists gives the vestibular system rich input, which helps a child feel calm and grounded. This all makes it easier for children to feel more comfortable and present in their body. Breath awareness . Breathing, mantra, mudra, and meditation all have a soothing and regulatory effect on the nervous system. Sharon Heller, PhD is a developmental psychologist who describes herself as "sensory defensive." In her book Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight: What to Do If You Are Sensory Defensive in an Overstimulating World , she shares many strategies for coping and states, "The potential of yogic breath control to revitalize the nervous system is enormous." She recommends ujjayi breathing and alternate nostril breathing. Breathing practices we teach children, including balloon breath, flower hands breath, and open wings also help soothe and balance the whole nervous system while facilitating the relaxation response. (See " Yoga for Kids; Let the Body Breathe" at yogachicago.com/may07/yogaforkids for an explanation of these breathing exercises.) Self-awareness . All of the practices in yoga have as an aim to develop better awareness--awareness of the body, the mind, and the breath. Yoga also inherently helps develop a greater sense of self, a feeling of more ease in the world, and a sense that "everything is okay just as it is."

Just as a child needs food throughout the course of the day, his need for sensory input must also be met. A “sensory diet” (coined by OT Patricia Wilbarger) is a carefully designed, personalized activity plan that provides the sensory input a person needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day.

Using this sensory checklist will help you to better select the activities that will be appropriate and beneficial for your student.

Here are some sensory diet activities for children:

This is an example of a menu that students could use to select an activity when their bodies need for a sensory break.